Toy steam encine boiler



March 1, 1932. W B. mTcl-HE A 1,848,028

TOY STEAM ENGINE BOILER Filed Oct. 24, 1929 Patented Mar. 1, 1932 "UNITED, sflATlfiSA PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM EARNEY RITCHIE',` or NEW BEDFORD', MASSACHUSETTS, AssIGNoR To WEEDEN `MANUEACTURING CORPORATION, 0E NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS, A

c CORPORATION 0F MASSACHUSETTS n 1 ToY STEAM ENGINE EoILER Appn'ation nica october 24, 1929. serial' No. 402,258.

My invention relates to liquid heaters and vaporizers, and particularly, but not exclusively, to a boiler for a toy steam engine having an electric heating element orsupplying the heat for generating steam. i

The invention will be best understood from the following description when read in the light of the accompanying drawings show ing an illustrative embodiment 'of the inventlon, the scope of the latter being more particular-` ly pointed out in the appendedv claims.rv

Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal ksectlon of a boiler for a toy steam engine, with parts irl-elevation; f

Fig. a is an end View 0f the boi'lersheliV with the heating elementvremoved, as vviewed v from the left in Fig.1; f

Y Fig.'3 is a section on the line 343 of Fig. 1, with parts omitted; 1 v Y Fig. 4 is a plan of the heating element Fig. 5 is a section on the line. 5-'5 ofFig. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of "the two electrodes or resistances; and w Y Fig. 7 is a perspective ofthe insulator associatedl with the heating element.

In the illustrative embodimentofthein vention shown by the drawings, the boiler `1 is of the horizontal type,'and Vis Supported on a frame 3, which frame may carry the, en-` gine supplied with steam from the'boiler as takes the form of a disk like member17 hav-.. ing the large diameter portion 19 and the reduced diameter portion 21, the latter for entering the` filling orifice 13 of the boiler Shell. At its inner end the reduced diameter portion is kprovided with lugs 23 corresponding in shape, number and spacing to the notches 15 ofthe filling orifice, this constructo place the lugs between the notches tion permitting the reduced diameter portion 21 of the Vclosure to be inserted into the oriiice 13 by presenting the closure to the orifice, withthe lugs 23 in registry withthe notches 15, and Vthen by rotating the closure to lock the closure to the boiler shell.

Herein, the closure carries an annular packvided with collars 29, and,`as shown at 31, the end portions of the prongs opposite thosey whichare inserted into the socket are screw threaded.` The screw threaded portions of the prongs extend through insulating bushings '33 carried in perforations in the clo-` fsu're.` nuts 35 screw threaded on the portions 31 of theprongs holding the latter in assembled relation with the. closure, while washers 37 on/each end of the bushings 33 eectively insulate the collars 29 and nuts. 35 .from the closure. f Y

Herein, the prongs 27 are in electrical communicationv with a heating element, which herein takes the form, ofa pair of fiat plate electrodes 41, each of which at one end'is cut away at 43 andbent to form a foot 45 at right angles tothe body of the plate. As illus# trated,.the feet 45 are provided with perforations- 47 which Areceive the ends 31 of the prongs, and are secured to said prongs by nut's49. As shown, the foot 45 for one of the platesfis longer than the foot forthev other l plate, so th atv the plates may be held in spaced relation as indicated in Fig. 1, Conveniently the perforations 47 maybe elongated, orV

in. el.'

lighting circuits, and permit the plates to be placed different distances apart for direct or alternating current to prevent arcing. The plates may be of any suitable resistance niaterial such as sheet iron, bronze, zinc, molded carbon, and the like, commonly employed in similar situations.

As shown, the end of the resistance heating element carries a T-shaped insulator' formed of liber, or the like, having a head l which is placed between the two plates, and a. shank 58 which extends through a perforation downwardly toward the bottom of the boiler shell. The `head 5l of the insulator acts to prevent the two plates 4:1 from accidentally contacting, which might happen if the plates are bent, or if the nuts 49 are not securely tightened after adjusting the distances between the plates. The shank 53 prevents the resistance heating element from accidentally contacting with the boiler shell.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiment thereof herein described, but that within the spirit of the invention wide deviations may be made from this embodiment.

Claims:

l. A device of the character described having, in combination, a boiler having an opening, a removable closure for said opening, a pair oi prongs carried by said closure for insertion into an electric socket said closure carrying a pair of cooperating electrodes having terminals in electrical communication with said prongs, said electrodes projecting into said boiler in spaced relation to the bottorn o'i the boiler shell when said closure is in position, said closure and said shell formed with cooperating portions for locking and unlocking one to the otherv by rotating said closure rela-tive to said shell, an annuular packing gasket surrounding said prongs7 said gasket' carried by said closure and adapted to be compressed between said closure and said boiler shell'.

2. A device of the character described having, in combination, a boiler having an opening,A a: removable closure for said opening, a pair'of prongs carried by said closure for insertion into an electric socket said closure carrying a pair of cooperating electrodes having terminals in electrical communication` with said prongs, said electrodes projecting' into said boiler in spaced relation to the bottom ot the boiler shell when said clospair of prongs carried by saidv closure for insertion into an electric socket, said closure carrying a pair of electrodes having terminals in electrical communication with said prongs, said heating element projecting into said boiler in spaced relation to the bottom of the boiler shell when said closure is in position, said closure and said shell formed Witlr cooperating portions forming a bayonet-type oint for locking and unlocking one to the other by rotating said closure relative to said shell, an annular packing gasket surrounding said prongs, said gasketcarried by said closure and adapted to be compressed between said closure and said boiler shell.

d. A device of the character described having, in combination, a boiler having an opening, a removable closure for said opening, a pair of prongs carried by said closure lor insertion into an electric socket, each prongr at the inner side of said closure having a terminal portion, lat metal plates carried by said terminal portions of said prongs, said plates being parallel to each other and e);- tending into said boiler in spaced relation to each other and to the bottom of the boiler shell, and a "T-shaped insulator having its head between said plates at the end portions thereof and having its shank extending through and projecting from one of said plates.

5. A device of the character described having, in combination, a boiler having an opening, a removable closure for said peiling, a pair of prongs carried by said closure for insertion into an electric socket, cach prong at the inner side oit said closure having a terminal portion, flat metal plates carried by said terminal portions ot said prongs, said plates being parallel to each other and mit-ending into said boiler in spaced relation to each other and to the bottom ol' the boiler shell, a T-shaped insulator' having its head between said plates at the end portions thereof and having its shank extending' through and projecting from one of said plates, means for detachably locking' saidy closure to the i boiler shell, and an annular gasket carried by said closure surrounding said prongs, said gasket adapted to be con'ipressed between said closure and said boiler shell.

In testimon 1 whereof I have signed mv name to this specification.

WILLIAM BABNEY RITCHIE. 

